Nest-site fidelity in Lesser Kestrels: A case of Win-Stay/Lose-Shift?

Edith Katsnelson Ilan*, Orli Bobek, Adiv Gal, David Saltz, Uzi Motro

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

We studied Lesser Kestrels' (Falco naumanni) conditional nest-site fidelity, i.e., fidelity that depends on the outcome of the previous nesting attempt in that site. In particular, we were interested in examining whether individual kestrels practice a Win-Stay/Lose-Shift (WSLS) strategy towards their nest-sites; that is, does the tendency to use the same nest-site increase following a successful nesting season, but decrease following a failure. For that purpose, we documented the use of nest-sites by Lesser Kestrels and the breeding success in these sites during 1998-2003 in the city of Jerusalem (Israel). We found that while Lesser Kestrels do not practice WSLS strategy towards their nest-site, the males (but not the females) do so towards their sub-colony-they tend to stay in the same sub-colony if their nesting was successful, whereas they tend to migrate to a different sub-colony after failure. A possible explanation to this sexual difference in WSLS behavior can arise from the fact that changing a sub-colony entails a change of hunting area. The male, being the main food provider in the Lesser Kestrel, may be more sensitive to this opportunity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)106-110
Number of pages5
JournalIsrael Journal of Ecology and Evolution
Volume65
Issue number3-4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 © 2019 by Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Keywords

  • Lesser Kestrel

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